BRINGING POKER TO THE MAINSTREAM: THE WORLD POKER TOUR ANNOUNCES NATIONAL LAUNCH IN LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 21, 2002 - The face of poker will never be the same again� Announcing the launch of the World Poker Tour, LLC ("WPT"), a newly formed Los Angeles-based company. The WPT injects high-concept, cutting-edge television production into the burgeoning world of upscale poker tournaments. The company is a joint venture between World Poker Tour CEO, Steven Lipscomb, an accomplished television creator and award-winning filmmaker, and Lakes Gaming, Inc., whose founder and CEO, Lyle Berman, is a world-renowned poker player. .

The WPT Launch opens with a Media Event at the prestigious Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, May 26, 2002 at 5.00 PM. A media cocktail reception/buffet and WPT Press Conference will take place from 5:00-6:45 PM to be followed by a $5,000 Press Poker Tournament -- complete with tips from Lyle Berman himself and a shot at winning a piece of the $5,000 prize pool for each press member for the charity of his/her choice.

The Inaugural event of the World Poker Tour will be Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic which begins May 27, 2002 at the world-famous resort and culminates with the Finals Event on Saturday, June 1, 2002 at 2:00 PM. WPT will film the Finals Event as the first show in the WPT season and will broadcast it at a later date. All media are invited to attend this exciting commemorative event. Further information can be obtained by calling the contact number above.

The nation's most popular card game is poised to become the next major mainstream sport on television. The World Poker Tour will consist of 13 nationally televised poker events, filmed in casinos around the world, where the finalists play for multi-million dollar prize pools. The season will culminate in the grand finale (and grand is certainly the word, with a participant entry fee of $25,000!) featuring the winners from each Tour event - whose skill, cunning and nerves of steel have brought them to the finals. But, unlike the Masters, the Super Bowl, or any other sports championship, anyone who is willing to put up the $25,000 buy-in can compete in the final event for a shot at the Championship title and millions of dollars in prize money.

WPT creator and CEO, Steven Lipscomb, is an experienced television producer whose credits include creating shows with Norman Lear, Al Burton and Alvin Toffler. His Discovery Channel documentary on tournament poker bears the distinction of being the highest rated poker program in cable television history. Lipscomb has joined forces with legendary 'Poker Hall-Of-Famer' and 'businessman extraordinaire' Lyle Berman whose accomplishments include co-founding and managing Grand Casinos (now part of Park Place Entertainment) and founding Lakes Gaming Inc. as well as winning three titles at the World Series of Poker. Lakes Gaming is investing over $3,000,000 in the venture.

"It is estimated that well over 50 million Americans play poker on a regular basis, either in card rooms and casinos or in their own home games," says Berman. "We are very excited to be part of the tour." Lipscomb adds that "This will be the start of making poker a major entertainment vehicle on television."

The aim of the WPT is to widen the audience of Poker by reinventing its image as a stylish and exhilarating sport, combining cunning, skill, tough nerves and sky-high stakes to make a can't miss television program. WPT will revolutionize poker in the same manner that "Who Wants to be A Millionaire" revolutionized game shows. Tour events will be filmed in a hip and energetic style reflecting the youthful and contemporary appeal of the game.

Poker is one of America's most popular pastimes, but up until now it has never been mainstream entertainment. Well known poker expert and WPT consultant Mike Sexton has given his full support to the Tour; "I believe everyone in the poker industry will benefit from the WPT. I see the exposure, respect and growth of poker increasing substantially worldwide. Poker will be taken out of the American psyche and plugged into mainstream sports entertainment. Hats off to Steve Lipscomb and Lyle Berman for changing the face of poker."